Council to “look at” problems at Rann Point

At the meeting Cllr Peter McVitty (FG) said addressing the problem was a “delicate subject” and acknowledged that the council “can't stop people enjoying themselves”.

Clough Oughter Castle is one of the iconic landmark of County Cavan, but the behaviour of a minority of users of the facilities at Rann Point is ruining the appeal of the site for many families. The problems at the beauty spot to the north east of Killeshandra Town were raised at a recent Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District meeting.

The regulation of the activity in the area by means of by laws and policing were recommended by councillors to address the problems. Leading the call was Fianna Fáil's Sean Smith who raised the concerns voiced to him by many local residents.

“I first raised it at a meeting of the Municipal District meeting about a year ago,” he told the Celt. “There has been work done by the council on the area, but we need more definitive actions.”

Cllr Smith says a multi-agency approach is required.

“Not only do the Environmental Section of the council have role to play in addressing the problems at the Rann Point, but the Gardaí have also be involved.”

The local authority have worked on providing facilities at the site, however Cllr Smith says during the fine weather of mid June the problems of last year re-emerged: “The shut down because of Covid-19 put a stall on the some of the work that was taking place, but the problem remains the same.

“Previously those partying at the site have taken down fencing to get timber, this allowed animals to wander from farm holdings. The timber was burned for barbecues on the shore. It shows no respect for people's property. Naturally landowners are very upset by this. They have come to me in outrage,” he said.

Rubbish

Cllr Smith stresses that the disruptive behaviour is perpetrated by a minority.

“When the weather is good they make the best of it. There is nothing wrong with that, but it's the manner in which they are doing it. The property damage isn't the only problem, they are also leaving rubbish, people defecating on the lake shore, and blaring loud music late into the night. Local residents can't be expected to put up with this behaviour.”

The Fianna Fáil elected representative says there's no silver bullet answer.

“It's not an easy solve, but something has to be done to regulate it. The council have put in a lot of facilities, but there is a limit to what can be done. You can't put in toilets, because they would just be a target for vandals.”

At the meeting Cllr Peter McVitty (FG) said addressing the problem was a “delicate subject” and acknowledged that the council “can't stop people enjoying themselves”.

Cllr Brendan Faye said where it was acceptable that people enjoyed life, the cutting down of trees and leaving rubbish behind was unacceptable.

Director of Services with Cavan County Council, Brendan Jennings, acknowledged that there was “a need for clarity” on the matter: “If by laws are introduced who will enforce them? The gardaí or the council?”

Council Engineer for the CBMD, Paul Mulligan, gave an undertaking to examine the issue: “We will have a cross section of groups such as the Environmental Section and the Waste Management section look at the matter, but laws are only as good as enforcement.”